hustled; hustling
ˈhə-s(ə-)liŋ
; hustles
1
2
a
: to obtain by energetic activity
—usually used with up
hustle up new customers
try to hustle up some tickets to tonight's game
hustling up some grub
b
: to sell something to or obtain something from (someone) by energetic and especially underhanded activity : swindle
hustling the suckers
an elaborate scam to hustle the elderly
c
: to sell or promote energetically and aggressively
hustling a new product
d
: to lure less skillful players into competing against oneself at (a gambling game)
hustle pool
3
a
: to make strenuous efforts to obtain especially money or business
Our quartet was out hustling … and we knew we stood good to take in a lot of change before the night was over.—Louis Armstrong
b
: to obtain money by fraud or deception
c
: to engage in sex work
4
: to play a game or sport in an alert aggressive manner
She's not the most talented player on the team, but she always hustles.
1
a
: energetic activity
I … went about the hustle of summer life.—Stephen W. Kress
You stepped out of Penn Station into the dizzying hustle of Eighth Avenue …—Colson Whitehead
I enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city.
b
chiefly US
: effort and energy in playing a sport
a baseball player who has been criticized for lack of hustle
The fans admire them for their hustle.
a player known more for his hustle than his talent
2
informal
: a dishonest plan for getting money : scam
Now, the secret of any hustle is that you have to have information that the other guy doesn't have.—Paul Newman
… a once-inspired con man on his last hustle …—Marilyn Stasio
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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